The Mauryan Empire

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The Mauryan Empire

• Chandragupta Mauryan may have been born in
  Magadha.
• Killed unpopular Nanda king.
• Conquerors lands under the control of Seleucus I.
• Vast army is supported by high taxes.

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Life Within the Empire

• Relied on an advisor named Kautilya.
• Arthasastra.
• Empire divided into four provinces that is ruled
  by a prince.
• Assess taxes and enforce laws.
• Megasthenes.

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Asoka

• Brought the Mauryan Empire to its greatest
  heights.
• Wages war to expand the empire.
• Kalinga changes Asoka converts to Buddhism.
• Edict of Asoka, diplomats/officials and road
  system becomes Asoka legacy.

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Edict of Asoka Asoka Wheel
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Period of Turmoil

• After the death of Asoka in 232 B.C., regional
  rulers challenge imperial government.
• Andhra Dynasty dominated central India.
• Northern India absorb refugees from Greeks,
  Persians and Central Asia.

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Southern India

• Not controlled by the Mauryan Empire.
• Three kingdoms reside in this region often at
  war with one another.
• Tamil are the people and language they spoke.

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Gupta Empire Established

• After half a millennium of invasion and turmoil,
  a new leader emerges.
• Gain power though marriage, not conquest.
• Chandra Gupta becomes Great King of Kings.
• Samudra expands through conquest.

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Daily Life in the Gupta Empire

• Most Indians lived in small villages.
• Farmers, craftspeople, and merchants.
• Most families were patriarchal, except in the
  South.
• Taxed and had to give labor to the governments
  once a month.

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Heights of the Gupta/ Decline

• Chandra Gupta II defeats Shakas and adds
  territory to the empire.
• Trade flourishes.
• Marriage and political alliances brings peace to
  the empire.
• Arts and science flourish.
• Gupta decline after Chandra Gupta II death thanks
  to the Hunas.

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Hinduism and Buddhism Change

• These were the two main faiths in India by 250
  B.C.
• Both religions became increasingly removed from
  the people.
• After the Buddha died, followers developed
  different interpretations of his teachings.

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Buddhism Divides

• Many Buddhist believe they could become Buddhas.
  Bodhisattvas.
• Mahayana Buddhism allowed salvation to all and
  popular worship.
• Theravada Buddhism- Orthodox teachings of
  Buddhism.
• What would the Buddha think?

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Stupa Cave Temples
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Hinduism Rebirth

• Became very complex.
• Becomes more monotheistic.
• One divine force gods represent that force.
• Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are the most important
  gods.

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Indian Arts

• Just like Hinduism and Buddhism, Indian culture
  experiences change.
• Kalidasa writes Shakuntala.
• Southern India establishes writing academies.
• Traveling actors put on performances in southern
  India.

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Shakuntala Indian Dance
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Bollywood
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Astronomy, Mathematics, and Medicine

• From Greek invaders, adapted western methods of
  keeping time.
• Astonmers proved that the earth was round.
• Zero and decimal system.
• Described many diseases.
• Preformed surgery.

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Aryabhata
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Spread of Trade

• Rich in resources such as spices, diamonds, gold,
  and wood.
• Future invaders spread India's trade.
• Middlemen in India make use of the Silk Roads.
• Build trading stations along oasis.

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Silk Roads
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Sea Trade, East and West

• Traders used coastal routes to bring goods from
  India to Rome.
• India would also open trade with Southeast Asia,
  China and Africa.
• Increase in trade lead to banking industry in
  India.
• Cultural diffusion among traders.